U.S. hog inventory down nearly 2% in September

These are the highlights from the latest report on the U.S. hog inventory, published by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) on September 26:

As of September 1, 2026, there were 74.3 million head of hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, representing a 1.51% decrease from September of the previous year and a 1.6% increase compared with June 1, 2026 (73.1 million head).

Of the 74.3 million hogs and pigs, 68.4 million were market hogs, while 5.87 million were kept for breeding.

Between June and August 2026, 34.5 million pigs were weaned on U.S. farms, down 2% from the same time period one year earlier.

From June through August 2026, U.S. hog and pig producers weaned an average of 11.96 pigs per litter, up 1.2% from the same period a year earlier (11.82 pigs per litter)

U.S. hog producers intend to have 2.85 million sows farrow between September and November 2026, and 2.80 million sows farrow between December 2026 and February 2027.

Iowa hog producers accounted for the largest inventory among the states, at 24.7 million head. Minnesota had the second largest inventory at 9.30 million head. North Carolina was third with 7.60 million head.